Paper machinery



y 1955 A. E. BRIDGE 2,709,396

PPPPPPPPPP RY FIG-2 May 31, 1955 E, BRID E 2,709,396

PAPER MACHINERY Filed A ril 21, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m g, g M M V m in mg INVENTOR. W N F ADAM gamma I CD S u u.

plug construction inwhichbands aridilikei United States Patent Q 2,709,396 PAPER MACHINERY Adam E. Bridge, Fraiiklii1,'0hib, assignor to The Blackgiisgson ompany, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of Appiication April 21, 1953, Serial No. 350,068 12 claims. (or. 92- 27 This invention relates to a plug construction for rotary plug bar's approach and even contact the shell bars, there is an outward force exerted'on the shell bars and an op posite force on the plug in the direction of its axis of rotation. This latter force requires as careful consideration as the centrifugal force,since if the 'bars can move inwardly after being secured'against outward movement,

they can also move outwardly, and'if even one plug bar moves outwardly sufficiently far to engage the side of one or more shell bars, it'can cause'the fillings of both the plug and shell to be'torn out.

In addition therefore to the requirement in the plug I construction for prevention of bar movement in any direction, it is also extremely desirable to have a substantial number of bars in the plug, and the limiting factor thereon is in largemeasure the strength of the lugs or side walls of the body which support the bar.

Since the cross-sectionailarea of each snch lug will vary in accordance with the total number of bars, it is important to control this area in such-mannerasto maintain adequate strength, since if even one such lug should break, it is difficult if not impossible to repair the plug. In this connection, it should also be noted that there is a substantial circumferential force efie ctive on the plug during rotation, and if thisforce becomes-greater than the strength of the lugs holding the bars, they are likely to break. I

it is one of the primary objects of -the present invention to provide a plug for ai rotary refirlr'finwhichthe individual barsare firmly locked against botlnaxial and radial movement in any direction while at thesarn'e'time establishing maximum support bars in the plug body against circumferential forceseffective' on the plug in operation.

Another object of the invention is to pfro "de s'uch a h ha 9 he li pad a a in which instead the bars jcotjperate 9t erji i fi i of the plug to establish 'a continuously effectivewedging action of the bars radially 'of'ihe l'ugf'ho'dy ch'p'o'sitively prevents radially outward v mam of the bars.

An additional object 'is to provide a plug fora rotary refiner in which the thickness of the bars may'b'e'i eadily changed without requiring change or modification of the plug body, and i also to pfovide's'uch a plug which hiay be rotated in either direction without' danger of loosening of the bars. p j w r p it is also an object of the invntion to provide a plug construction for a rotary refiner in which the individual each" of Y the "lugs 26 arid- 27 fas completed plug, one long bar I3f'is" supported 20, and one intermediate "bar "14"is suppdrted -in each 2,709,396 Yatented May 31-, 1955 2 bars do not require hook or lug portions for retention in the plug body and in which therefore the bars may be solid for maximum strength and rigidity. I

A further object is to provide a method of fabricating a refiner plug in which the plug bars and the receiving slots therefor in the plug body are formed with complementary cam surfaces which cooperate to lock the bars a ainst radial movement as filler members are inserted in the slots.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingpdescription, the accompanying drawings/and the appended claims.

In the drawings p v Fig. l is a side elevational view illustrating the general appearance of a Jordan plug constructed --in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary somewhat diagrammatic exploded view inperspective illustrating the assembly of the plug of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts-of the plug in fully assembled position;

Fig. 4 is a developed elevational view ofaportion-of the surface of the plug body of Figs. l-3'prior'to insertion of the bars; I

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5-of- Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary sections on the lines 66 and 7-7 respectively of Fig. 3; arid v Fig. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view on an enlarged scale illustrating aportion 'of'a bar and the adjacent portion of the plug bod y.

Referring to the drawin'gsQWhich illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 shows somewhat diagrammatically the-general appearance of thelplug constructed in accordance with the invention for use in a conical refiner such as a Jordan. This plug'i-ncludes a frusto-conical plug body -10 'mounted on a'shaft 1'1 and provided on its surface with a multiplicity of generally axially extending bars or 'knives. These plug bars are shown as of three lengths, namely a's'eiries of long'bars 13 extending the full length of theplug body, a series of intermediate bars 14 extending approximately "twodhirds of the length of the plug body andalternating with the long bars 13, and a series of short bars 15 located at the large end of the plug andalternating'with'b'oththe long and intermediate bars. For examplep'such a plu'g may have twenty of the long bar's, twenty of the intermediate bars and forty of theshort bars.

The plug body "10 is provided with a series of longitudinalslots on its outer surface for rec ivin the several bars therein. These slots are of two different lengths, namely a series of long slots 20 extending the'full length of the'plug body and a series of shorter slots 21' extending approximately two-thirds of 'the 'length'ofthe plug body from its larger end. There are also "tw'o'circu'mferential slots in the surfaceofthe plug bodyjequal in depth to theleiig thwise slots, namelya' circiiinferential slot 23 adjacent the "small 'ehd of'tliepliig bodyand connecting with the endso'f the shortslc ts ""'21,"arid a second circumferential slot 2% whichis spaced from "the "large end of the plug bo'dy by a distanee'eijiiafto the length of the s'h ort bars 15.

slot 21. Eachslot '20 and 21and-receivesone-brute Sl'lOll bars 15' at the lar'geendof theplug eaa o stablish the desired tmirenm alternating"ielatioriofthdbars.

The slots accordingly taper from a minimum width at the small end of the plug body to a maximum width at the large end of the plug, and since their side walls radiate from the plug axis, the slots are also slightly tapered in section.

Individual bars are retained in their respective slots by means of a series of filler members which are received within the several slots either between a single bar therein and the opposite wall of the slot or between two bars at the large end of the plug, and these filler members are shown as wedge-shaped in section and also longitudinally to fit the tapered slots and 21. They are accordingly conveniently referred to herein as wedges, and are of several diiferent lengths in accordance with the varied lengths of the bars and slots. One series of wedges 30 are received in the slots 20 at the small end of the plug and extend through the circumferential slot 23. A second series of wedges 31 are received in the slots 20 and 21 and extend from the slot 23 through the circumferential slot 24, and the third series of wedges 32 are received in each slot 20 and 21 between the circumferential slot 24 and the large end of the plug. There are two additional series of small wedges, namely a series 33 each received in the slot 23 between adjacent wedges 30, and a series 34 each received in the slot 24 between adjacent wedges 31.

All of the bars are shown as provided at approximately the middle thereof with a lengthwise head 35 on each side, and additional fillers are provided between adjacent bars and are grooved at 36 for receiving the beads 35 to lock against radial movement. These fillers are advantageously formed of wood and are referred to herein as woods for convenience, and they are in three series of different lengths corresponding respectively to the three series of wedges 36-32, namely a series 40 at the small end of the plug, an intermediate series 41, and a series 42 at the large end of the plug. The bars, wedges and woods are all held in place against movement lengthwise of the plug by end plates 44 and 45 bolted to opposite ends of the plug body and of sufficient diameter to overlap the ends of the woods by a small margin such as about one-fourth inch.

The bars 13-15 and the slots 29 and 21 include circumferentially interfitting complementary cam portions which are responsive to circumferential movement of the bars in the plug body to urge the bars radially inwardly of the slots, and the wedges 3044 are formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on the bars causing this operation of the cam portions. These cam portions include a lengthwise groove formed in one side of each bar and spaced between the head 35 thereon and the inner edge 51 of the bar, and this edge is also shown as chamfered on one side at 52. Each groove 50 is shown as generally trapezoidal in shape and includes a beveled lower side 55, a similarly beveled upper side 56 and a flat center face 57.

The slots 20 and 21 each have on one or both walls a rib 60 spaced above the bottom 61 of the slot, and it will be noted that the bottom corner of the slot is chamfered at 62 similarly to the chamfer 52 on the bar. The rib 60 is generally complementary in shape to the groove 50 in the bar and includes a similarly beveled lower surface 65, a beveled upper surface 66 and a fiat center face 67. The portion of each slot 20 and 21 from the circumferential slot 24 to the small end of the plug body has a rib 60 on only one side wall thereof, and the remainder of each slot at the large end of the plug, which receives two bars therein, has a rib 60 on both its side walls.

The cooperative action of these cam portions 50 and 60 is shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 8. The rib 60 is so located on the wall of the slot that its beveled under surface is spaced from the bottom 61 of the slot by a predetermined smaller distance than the spacing of the underside of the groove 50 from the inner edge 51 of the bar. Thus when the bar is inserted in the slot in engagement wiht the rib wall, the cam surface 55 will wedge below the side 65 of the rib before the other adjacent surfaces of the bar and slot wall engage, leaving clearance as indicated at 70 and 71 respectively below and above the rib 60 between the bar and the adjacent wall of the slot.

As an illustrative example of suitable relative dimensions for these parts, with each bar one-fourth inch in thickness, satisfactory results have been obtained with the several slots each one inch in depth and with the centers of each groove 50 and rib 60 located respectively .534 inch and 0.500 inch above the bottom edge of each bar and the bottom of each slot respectively. With these parts of such illustrative dimensions, it is also found desirable to form each rib with its face 67 of the same dimension as the face 57 of the groove in the bar but with the thickness of this rib only about one-sixteenth inch as opposed to j inch of the depth of each groove 50, in order to assure adequate clearance in the upper part of the groove.

In accordance with the invention, continuous advantage is obtained from the camming action of the parts 58 and 60 by forming the wedges 30-34 of a material which is swelled by the moisture to which the plug is exposed in operation, so that these wedges will exert continuous force circumferentially of the plug body and against the bars effective to urge the bars against the ribbed walls of the slots in the plug body. Satisfactory results have been obtained with these wedges formed with a resin treated fibrous material such for example as the materials sold under the trade-name of Formica or Micarta, and wedges of wood can also be used. In either case, the wedges are initially proportioned to exert substantial circumferential pressure on the bars upon assembly in the plug body, and this pressure is somewhat increased as the wedge swells in use so that the bars are continuously urged circumferentially of the plug body in such manner as to cause the cam portions of the bars and slots to urge the bars radially inwardly of the plug body, and thus to overcome any tendency towards outward movement of the bars.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrates somewhat diagrammatically the method of assembly of a plug in accordance with the invention. Two of the long bars 13 are first placed in adjacent long slots 20, and a wedge 30 is driven lengthwise of each of these slots 20 until it is snug at the small end of the plug. A wedge 33 is then driven radially into the slot 23 between the wedges 30, and a wood 40 is driven radially between these bars '13. An intermediate bar 14 is then placed in the slot 21 between the bars 13, and wedges 31 are driven into this slot 21 and also into the far slot 20 as viewed in Fig. 2 until they engage the wedge 32.

The next step is to drive the wedges 34 radially into the slot 24 between the lugs 26 and 2"! on either side of the bar 14, after which two woods 41 are driven lengthwise in place between the bar 14 and the adjacent bar 13. Finally a short bar 15 is placed in the slots 20 and 21 on either side of bar 14, after which wedges 32 are driven lengthwise between each of these bars 15 and the adjacent bar 13 or 14, and finally the woods 42 are driven radially into place between each pair of adjacent bars at the large end of the plug. The same procedure may be followed progressively around the circumference of the plug body until all the bars, wedges and woods are in place, after which any projecting ends are sawed off and the end plates 44 and 45 are bolted into place.

The several wedges 38-34 are initially proportioned to establish appreciable pressure engagement between the cam portions of their associated bars and slots and thereby to lock the bars firmly in the body. Furthermore, with these wedges formed as stated of material capable of being swelled by moisture, they will tend to expand in use in such manner as to increase the. desired continuous circumferential force on the bars and thus to maintain and increase the pressure engagement of the bar and slot cam portions. Thus there is positive assurance against movement of the bars in any direction during use, and also the substantial depth of the slots and the firm mounting of the bars therein provide a high degree of support for the bars against circumferential movement. At the same time, the woods operate in the normal way to support the working parts of the bars, and they can be chipped in accordance with conventional practice after the bars are worn in order to compensate for the resulting decrease of the depth in the channels between adjacent bars.

In addition to these practical advantages, it will be noted that the bars themselvesare of increased strength as contrasted with conventional bars of .the type provided with punched hooks or lugs for cooperation with retaining bars on the plug body. Furthermore, the pro vision of the cam grooves in the bars does not cause undue weakness, since a fully adequate section of metal remains to withstand all the forces normally incident thereon in use. In addition, the arrangement of the cam ribs on the walls of the slots in the plug body is advantageous in avoiding weakening of these walls orlug portions of the body such as could result from grooving or undercutting of these lugs, since they normally are less able to withstand circumferential stresses than the bars. t

A further advantage of this plug construction is the ease with which the thickness of the bars can be changed as desired. Thus the only modification of any ofthe parts ordinarily required for changingthe bar thickness is to make appropriate changes in the dimensions of the wedges and woods, and the same bar count can be maintained in a plug of given size without requiring machining or other modification of the plug body.

While the method herein described, and the form of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is, not limited to this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: j

l. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars each supported in one of said slots with one side thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said bar therein and the other wall of said slot in pressure engagement with said bar, said slot wall and the adjacent side of said bar having circumferentially interfitting complementary cam portions thereon responsive to circumferential movement of said bar towards said wall to urge said bar radially inward of said slot, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said operation of said cam portions.

2. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a pair of bars supported in each of said slots at opposite sides of said slot, a filler member receivable in each said slot between said bars therein and in pressure engagement therewith, each wall of each said slot and the adjacent side of each said bar having circumferentially interfitting complementary cam portions thereon responsive to circumferential movement of said bars towards said walls to urge said bars radially inward of said slot, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said operation of said cam portions.

3. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body 6 having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars each supported in one of said slots with one side thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said bar therein and the other wall of said slot in pressure engagement with said bar, said slot wall and the adjacent side of said bar having complementary beveled cam surfaces thereonrespoiisive to circumferential movement of said bar towards said wall to urge said bar radially inward of said slot, said cam surfaces being proportioned to maintain the remainder of said bar side and said slot wall out of con tact with each other by a predetermined small clearance upon initial assembly of said bar in said slot withthe inner edge thereof bottomed in said slot, and said filler members being formed of material capablehof being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said operation of said cam portions.

4. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug'body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a pair of bars supported in each of said slots at opposite sides of said slot, a filler member receivable in each said slot between said bars therein and in pressure engagement therewith, each wall of each said slot and theadjacent side of each said bar having complementary beveled cam surfacesthereon responsive to circumferential movement of said bars towards said walls to urge said bars radially inwardof said slots, said cam surfaces being proportioned to maintain the remainder of said bars out of contact with said slot walls by predetermined small clearance upon initial assembly of said bars in said slots with the inneredges thereof bottomed in said slots, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled .by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said operation of said cam portions,

5. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars each supported in one of said slots with one side thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said bar therein and the other wail of said slot in pressure engagement with vsaid bar, said slot wall and the adjacent side of said bar having complementary beveled cam surfaces thereon responsive to circumferential movement of said bar towards said wall to urge said bar radially inward of said slot, said cam surface on each said slot wall being spaced from the bottom of said slot by a predetermined smaller distance than the spacing of the complementary surface on the adjacent said bar from the inner edge of said bar toestablish a predetermined small clearance between the remaining facing portions of said bar and said wall upon initial assembly of said bar in said slot with said inner edge thereof bottomed in said slot, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said operation of said cam portions.

6. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars each supported in one of said slots with one side thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said oar therein and the other wall of said slot in pressure engagement with said bar, said slot wall including a rib having a beveled undersurface, the adjacent side of said bar having a groove thereing provided with a beveled undersurface substantially complementary to said beveled surface on said rib, said rib surface being spaced from the bottom of said slot by a predetermined smaller distance than the spacing of said groove surface from the inner edge of said bar to establish a predetermined small clearance between the remaining facing portions of said bar and said wall upon initial assembly of said bar in said slot with said inner edge thereof bottomed in said slot, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said beveled surfaces to urge said bars radially inward of said slots.

7. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars supported in pairs in each of said slots with one side of each thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said pair of bars therein and in pressure engagement with said bars, each said slot wall including a rib having a beveled undersurface, the adjacent side of each said bar having a groove therein provided with a beveled undersurface substantially complementary to said beveled surface on said rib, said rib surfaces being spaced from the bottom of said slot by a predetermined smaller distance than the spacing of said groove surfaces from the inner edges of said bars to establish a predetermined small clearance between the remaining facing portions of said bars and said walls upon initial assembly of said bars in said slots with said inner edges thereof bottomed in said slots, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said beveled surfaces to urge said bars radially inward of said slots.

8. A plug for a rotary refiner comprising a plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and singularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars each supported in one of said slots with one side thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said bar therein and the other wall of said slot in pressure engagement with said bar, said slot wall having thereon a longitudinal rib of generally trapezoidal section including a beveled undersurface, the adjacent side of said bar having a substantially complementary trapezoidal groove therein including a beveled undersurface, said rib being spaced from the bottom of said slot by a predetermined smaller distance than the spacing of said groove from the inner edge of said bar to eifect camrning engagement of said under-surfaces of said rib and said groove upon initial assembly of said bar in said slot with the inner edge thereof bottomed in said slot, said rib being of sufficiently smaller section than said groove to maintain clearance between the op posed other surfaces thereof, and said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said beveled surfaces to urge said bars radially inward of said slots.

9. A Jordan plug comprising a frusto-conical plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and angularly spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of bars each supported in one of said slots with one side thereof adjacent one wall of said slot, a filler member received in each said slot between said bar therein and the other wall of said slot in pressure engagement with said bar, said slot wall and the adjacent side of said bar having circumferentially interfitting complementary cam portions thereon responsive to circumferential movement of said bar towards said wall to urge said bar radially inward of said slot, said filler members being formed of material capable of being swelled by moisture to exert continuous circumferential force on said bars causing said operation of said cam portions, and end plates secured to both ends of said body in radially overlapping relation with the ends of said bars and said filler members to prevent axial movement thereof.

10. A Jordan plug comprising a frusto-conical plug body having multiple longitudinally arranged and axially spaced slots in the surface thereof, a multiplicity of respectively short and long bars supported in pairs in each of said slots and in alternating relation around the circumference of said body, all of said bars being located 1 of each said bar and on both walls of each said at the large end of said body with said long bars extending beyond said short bars towards the small end of said body, a filler member received in each said slot at the large end of said body between said pair of bars therein and in pressure engagement with said bars urging said bars against the walls of said slot, each said slot wall over the length of said short bars and the adjacent sides of said bars having circumferentially interfitting complementary cam portions thereon responsive to circumferential movement of said bars towards said walls to urge said bars radially inward of said slots, the remainder of each said slot having on the wall thereof adjacent said long bar therein and the remainder of said long bar having similar cam portions thereon, additional filler members each received in said remainder of each said slot between said long bar therein and the opposite wall of said slot to maintain said long bars in pressure engagement with said cam portions of said slots, and end plates secured to both ends of said body in radially overlapping relation with the ends of said bars and said filler members to prevent axial movement thereof.

11. The method of fabricating a plug for a rotary refiner including a plug body which comprises the steps of forming longitudinal slots in the surface of said body,

forming a plurality of bars each receivable in one of said slots, forming complementary beveled cam surfaces on one side of each bar and on one wall of each said slot, said cam surfaces being beveled in the direction to urge said bars radially inward of said slots upon movement of said cam surfaces toward each other circumferentially of said body, said cam surface on each said wall being spaced from the bottom of said slot by a predetermined smaller distance than the spacing of the complementary surface on the adjacent said bar to establish a predetermined small clearance between the remaining facing portions of said bar and said wall upon initial assembly of said bar in said slot with said inner edge thereof bottomed in said slot, inserting said bars in said slots with said cam surfaces in engagement, and forcing a filler member into said slot between said bar therein and the opposite side of said slot from said cam portion thereon to urge said cam surfaces into maintained eamrning engagement.

12. The method of fabricating a Jordan plug which comprises the steps of forming longitudinal slots in the surface of a frusto-conieal plug body, forming two groups of respectively long and short bars receivable in said slots, forming complementary beveled cam surfaces on one side slot with said cam surfaces on opposite walls of each said slot corresponding in length to said long and short bars respectively, said cam surfaces being beveled in the direction to urge said bars radially inward of said slots upon movement of said surfaces toward each other circumferentially of said body, inserting one said long bar in each said slot with said cam surfaces in engagement, forcing a filler member into each said slot between said her therein and the opposite side of said slot from said cam portion thereon to urge said cam surfaces into maintained camming engagement, inserting one said short bar on the opposite side of each said slot from said long bar therein, and forcing an additional filler member into each said slot between said bars therein to urge the remainder of said cam surfaces into maintained camming engagement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 341,223 Clawson May 4, 1886 718,060 Wagg Jan. 6, 1903 864,359 Claflin Aug. 27, 1907 2,146,830 Martindale Feb. 14, 1939 2,161,348 Bolton June 13, 1939 

